Job Discussion Forums

[sdj1]

I am a teacher certified in elementary and special education. I want to teach English in China this summer. I would like to bring my 12 year old adopted Chinese daughter with me. How can I find out which agencies, advertising teaching positions, are reputable? I have been looking at the journeyeast.org web site. Does anyone have info? Will bringing my daughter pose any problems? I am thinking that this will be a great experience for both of us. All info and suggestions are appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Susan

[Lipps]

One of the better programs you could choose, especially if you are bringing a young child.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I agree with Lipps.

EF Dongying also is amicable enough to allow single mothers (fathers??--sorry to stereotype) but that's just from my experience. I knew a Canadian lady with a 12 year-old daughter and she actually went to school in primary and middle school in regular Chinese school. Kinda weird to see a little white girl speaking near-fluent Chinese and her mom using her to translate all the time shopping.

But I digress....

There are opportunities. If you are offered anything concrete, do let us know and the friendly folks (and not so friendly) will be happy to give you their opinions.

[sdj1]

[Lipps]

I got my first job in China through them. There were two other teachers in my group and one of them had a four year old son. It was a semester program. I'll look up their email and Pm it to you.

They're good at preparing you, we had an orientation in Los Angeles the night before our trip. It was professional and though I think they mark up the prices for visa service and processing your paperwork, it was well worth the cost for me. May not be the best price for a college student, but then - I'm not a backpacker.

They also helped me negotiate my second contract in China. Good people there, I worked with a guy named Brock who runs their San Francisco office and I used to speak with another person, I think her name was Lucy. Did you do the placement evaluation yet? If you haven't - they ask some pretty tough questions, it's not a cake walk.

I used a Chinese recruiter for my most recent contract, but so far, I'm not entirely sure I'm happy enough with things to make a reference.
Good luck, summer programs are hot and intensive programs. Drink lots of water!

PS> I can tell you one to avoid; Lea Walker and the Chinese Culture Center. They took my money, didn't find me a job, wouldn't answer or return my phone calls, and it took them months to return my passport to me.

[sdj1]

I have done anything except an initial application. Thank you for all your information. It is reassuring to hear from someone who has worked with them. They have called to set up an interview, but I have been out of town. Despite the heat and intensity, it is worth doing? And do you think a good experience for my daughter?

[sdj1]

I requested teacher references from Journey East - is this a reasonable response?

""Due to privacy laws and our company policy, that information is only provided to applicants who have been accepted into the program.
Once you have passed our placement evaluation we will be happy to provide the contact information of previous teachers who have participated in our summer program"


Also, should I rethink going in the summer?

[Lipps]

Did you get the teacher's email address I Pm'd to you? He's still in Hangzhou with his son.

It seems reasonable. If you haven't been officially accepted, I can't see any organization giving out peoples private information to everyone making general inquiry. If they have a testimonials page on their website check there for emails.

[sdj1]

No I did not get his email, but he sounds like someone who could answer a lot of my questions = please send again. Thank you so much.

[Renegade_o_Funk]

...

[sdj1]

Good advice - thank you